"Cotton's been bought too. It wasn't cheap, but there's enough."
He handed the bundle of fluffy cotton to Liu Wanwan.
Liu Wanwan took the cotton, feeling its thickness. A relieved smile appeared on her face.
"Wonderful! The new padded jackets will definitely be warm now!"
Their household stores had never been so plentiful. Salt, grain, and winter supplies were all in place, enough to carry them through this bitter winter.
They also laid a solid foundation for their escape in the near future.
Even the oppressive atmosphere seemed to have lifted somewhat.
Fang Yuan walked over to the corner and crouched down to check on the Purple Sable.
The little creature was still curled up asleep, its breathing even and deep.
But upon closer inspection, its purple-black fur seemed glossier and smoother than before.
In the dim light, an exceedingly faint, nearly imperceptible sheen seemed to flow across it, as though something within its body was quietly transforming.
"It still hasn't woken up?" Fang Yuan softly asked Little Bean Sprout.
Little Bean Sprout shook her head, worry on her little face. "No, Brother. It's been sleeping the whole time. But whenever I touch it, it seems really comfortable."
Fang Yuan nodded, recalling those strange red berries.
Sure enough, the mountains and forests hid quite a few good things.
Earlier, he had been so focused on asking about the Martial Dao and the county town that he had forgotten to ask the more knowledgeable Hu Lao San about the berries' origins and uses. What a pity.
But right now, there was something more important to do.
He stood and said to Liu Wanwan, "You two sleep first. I'm heading out to take care of something."
Liu Wanwan looked at the exhaustion that had yet to fully faded from his face and